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12-1-1931

The Student Designer December 1931 The Student Designer December 1931

Students of RISD Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Archives Rhode Island School of Design, archives@risd.edu

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STUDGNT DGSIGNGR

i

The Editorial Staff of

"THE STUDENT DESIGNER"

wishes to extend

GREETINGS

for a

HECCy CEEIETH4I

and

E4PEy NEW yE4E

to the

Faculty and Students

of the school

THE STUDENT DESIGNER Published by Students of the Rhode Island School of Design

Vol. 3 December, 1931 No. 2

AIMS FOR THE SCHOOL

When you asked me to tell you of my aims for the School, I wondered what to draw out of the melting pot—because, at the moment, the pot is still seething and very full. However, here are some of the most potent ingredients.

What I want for you all is a Common Room where at the noon hour you can read, chat, play pool or just sit and think. An opportunity for all the various de­partments to get together and discover where the other fellow is going—for this I hope will lead to a stronger, more uni­fied, independent student organization, which is eager to carry its own respon­sibility, knowing of course that the Insti­tution stands ready when a helping hand

is needed. For the School, I want very much to

make possible through outside contacts, the opportunity for the students to have some practical application of what they are learning at the school in the industry toward which they are heading. This would give the students a chance to see the place that art can take in industry and inversely it would bring the industry closer to the School and give them a keener realization of the aims of the school. And in relation to this phase of work, I would like you to help me answer a question which I am asking myself. What is the value of required summer work and could this be used as credit? At the Yale School of Fine Arts, a month of summer work is required each year or a certain number of sketches. The men

in the Architectural Course go into an architect's office, the painting classes make water color and pencil sketches, and I am inclined to believe that work of this sort would prove of inestimable

value.

For the Museum, although small com­pared to Museums in the big centres, our policy in acquisitions is to get the best of its kind, and the quality that you can see and study will train your eye to know the best. Steep yourselves in the beauty of the objects there, familiarize yourselves with craftsmanship and design, study form and color, and then with your own keen imaginations and enthusiasm create something new that will make you leaders and peers with the best designers in Europe.

MRS. MURRAY DANFORTH, President of The Rhode Island School of Design.

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT MAKES TRIP

Senior students of the Mechanical De­partment were given the opportunity of inspecting the plant of Hindley Manufac­turing Co. a few weeks ago. The trip was restricted to students in advanced ma­chine design and gave them new ideas on their machine design work, especially on the wire-forming machines. Hindley Manufacturing Co. is located in Central Falls and produces all types of wire prod­ucts. The group that attended the plant were rewarded with a wealth of knowl­edge on automatic screw machines.

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The Student Designer

THE STUDENT DESIGNER

Editorial Staff Ruth Simmons Editor-in-Chief James Bland Managing Editor Wesley Stopford Business Manager Gilbert Stafford Advertising Manager Neil Salley Circulation Manager

Reporting Staff Rachel D'Avanzo, Grace Johnson, Fritz Dunbar, Jerry Gorman, George Hall,

Gus Lampinski, Frederick Vera, Edward Richards

George Patterson Love, Faculty Advisor

EDITORIAL

Many criticisms have been offered re­garding "The Student Designer." A few have been constructive and more than a few destructive. Past publications have been criticized because they have fla­vored too strongly of contributions made by the Faculty. To alleviate this feeling, the staff this year has aimed to make the paper entirely the product of the stu­dents. It has been difficult to obtain material, and this fact has necessitated the printing of whatever and all material that could be collected. This should not be so. The staff should be able to obtain a wealth of material every month from which it might pick and choose articles appropriate for each issue.

I have also heard the criticism that Mechanical Department news is over­emphasized. This may be so, but more than half of the editorial staff consists of students from the Mechanical Depart­ment alone. If the remainder of the school was as well represented, we should be able to publish every month a magazine worthy of the school.

Short stories, articles of general inter­est and departmental notes ought to be included as well as writings containing a spirit of fun. The word "fun" is not used in this case in a cheap, childish sense, but in the sense of a desire for genuine humor.

There are many ways in which "The Student Designer" might be improved. Also, there are many ways in which the student body can lend their aid. It is easy to criticize, but those who criticize most do least toward rectifying the mistakes made.

There should be a magazine in the school, a magazine of a professional quality. This is a highly rated institution in every respect. Why shouldn't its pub­lication reflect its high standards?

THE EDITOR.

THE SATURDAY EVENING CLUB

The Saturday Evening Club of Provi­dence, a social club, together with its affiliated organizations, is engaged in providing a program of varied social ac­tivities during the year for the young men and women of its membership. The high standards of the club afford oppor­tunities for desirable fellowship and the low cost of the affairs places the mem­bership within the reach of every quali­fied candidate. All these prominent af­fairs are held at the Providence Biltmore.

Any eligible student, young man or woman, may become a member by filling out a proposal for membership, which upon acceptance by the Directors, makes the person one of the club group with all membership privileges. Proposal cards may be secured upon request from either Miss Virginia Eddy or Mr. Gilbert Silven.

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The Student Designer

IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?

Frank P. Church's Answer to a Puzzled Little Girl a Quarter of a Century Ago

A quarter of a century ago a l ittle girl trying to restore the faith which had been disturbed by stories told her by older children, wrote to the editor of the "New York Sun," asking: "Tell me truly is there a Santa Claus?" The letter was answered by Frank P. Church in an edi­torial which is regarded to-day as one of the classics of Christmas literature.

"Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepti­cism, of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant in his intellect, as com­pared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and

knowledge. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

He exists as certainly as love and gener­osity and devotion exist; and you know that they abound and give to our life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world, if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance, to make tolerable this exist­ence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world

would be extinguished. "Not believe in Santa Claus! You

might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your father to hire men to

watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see him coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not; but that's no proof that they are not tnere. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

"You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and

abiding. "No Santa Claus! Thank God! He

lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia; nay, ten thou­sand years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of childhood."

A MAN'S DREAM

Truly a man's dream, although the vision of but a child of six years.

"Miss Field, I'm going to draw a pic­ture of a dream this morning."

"Why, that's a fine idea, Louis. Is it going to be a dream of what a little boy wants for Christmas?"

"Oh, no, Miss Field. This is going to be a man's dream."

A man's dream. . . I think the serious

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The Student Designer

import of those words was realized to a great extent by the child, for his drawing when understood was truly a work of art, although it would-mean little to the cas­ual observer.

Curious to see what Louis had done with his idea, the teacher made her way to his side. The picture portrayed a room in one corner of which stood a bed. Over the bed were cloud-like areas which represented the dream itself.

"You see, I have drawn the man in bed, Miss Field. He is dreaming of the story of the Madonna and the Christ Child. These are the Wise Men offering their gifts of gold to the Baby Jesus. The gold is spilling out of one of the sacks."

"And what is this, Louis?" "That is King Herod telling one of his

soldiers that all babies born in the king­dom must be killed."

"And this?" "Well, Mary and Joseph were afraid

that their baby might be killed by the king so they ran away into another coun-

+ry'" "So this is the story of the flight into Egypt, and you've shown the pyramids in the background. Are you going to have a star seen from the window of the room,

Louis?" "Oh, no, I'm going to have angels

coming in at the window, angels wearing long, white robes. And shall I label them, Miss Field, Health, Truth and Happi­

ness?" What a complete and wonderful

thought was contained in the drawing of this six-year-old boy. It was crude, to be sure, in its technique, but to him it was a masterpiece and its content surely a

man's dream. RUTH E. SIMMONS.

SOME REASONS WHY I WANT TO BE AN ART TEACHER

Art is so closely related to all factors in life that education is anything but complete without an appreciation of its value in every day affairs.

If I, through the act of teaching art to the children in the grades, am able to aid them in attaining better and fuller lives as a result of this study, I consider that reason enough for teaching it. Then, ac­cording to my own interest in the sub­ject, art and its teaching necessitates a wide knowledge and study in many other fields. Realizing the value of this fact, I hope to make my own life as complete as possible through the medium of my work.

Thinking of the future of individual homes and also that of the nation, art commands serious consideration. If chil­dren while in school can be taught love for simplicity and beauty, its evidence will be manifest later in their home build­ing and making. Thus whole communities, and so the country itself, will be bet­tered.

Although I, as an individual, may not accomplish all that I should like to see done in this direction, I will do all that is in my power. I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do I ought to do, and that which I ought to do with God's aid I will do.

Art and its study affords individuals a more worthy use of their leisure time; books are read, pictures are studied, and exhibitions are visited. Another reason for teaching art presents itself by a de­sire to arouse in the consciousness of the students a knowledge of industrial

16]

The Student Designer

achievements which have all been influ­enced by art.

Through various mediums used in the art classes children are encouraged to release their imagination by putting it into visible form, thus deriving definite satisfaction, and encouragement for more complex expression.

During the Art lesson I believe there is revealed in the pupil certain qualities which are not evident in the academic classes; a spirit of creativeness and indi­viduality prevails which is not evident in a mathematics class where students are solving identical algebra problems.

Next comes the factor of religion and its affinity with art. All through the ages religion has been the inspiration for the most famous paintings. Sod's own mas­terpiece, the realm of nature, affords un­limited opportunities for artists. Religion should be made a vital part of every­body's life, and if the study of art will aid in developing a spiritual consciousness in the minds of growing children, its study

should not be neglected. So in the extensive range of knowl­

edge and experience included in "Art Teaching," a person can put more of himself into the work, and can know the pupils from a very different and more

A X E L R O D M U S I C

Orchestra and Sheet Music

Instruments — Repairing

17 Snow Street (near Washington)

Providence, R. I.

human standpoint than the teachers of academic subjects, deriving for himself as well as for the students an apprecia­tion of the physical and human surround­ings which will make the individual of greater service to the world.

RUTH E. SIMMONS.

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT ORCHESTRA

The students of the mechanical group have organized under the direction of Mr. D. W. Hurd to form a departmental orchestra. Mr. Hurd announced the oth­er day that the orchestra has been pro­gressing in fine fashion and allowed the student body at Memorial Hall to attend a miniature concert and songfest. The orchestra played several selections and between each orchestral number the stu­dents who have formed a glee club in this department offered several of their own songs. The "Four Engineers," a quar­tet of mechanical department boys, which includes Frank Seaver, Wesley Stopford, Roland Abrahamson, and Stearns Gay, offered three selections to the students.

Mr. D. W. Hurd is the director of the orchestra, the following persons make up the rest of the group: Whytock, Chafee, Burrows, Hooker, Patt, Tattersall, Wolff, and Mr. Griffin. The orchestra will make its appearance before the whole student body of the school in the near future.

EXTRA

In a rash moment "Speed" Cunning­ham threw a two-inch cigar away. He couldn't get back into high for the next two days.

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The Student Designer

DUPONT ILLUSTRATED LECTURE

The Mechanical Department recently had the opportunity of being the guests of the Dupont de Nemours Company, manufacturers of all types of explosives. The lecture was illustrated by motion pic­tures. The lecture, which proved to be the most interesting thus far this year, was appreciated by all of the students. The instructors of the Mechanical De­partment co-operated very well in the presentation of the program, by adding two small educational features, which were entitled: "Around the World in the Graf Zeppelin" and "Hunting Wild

Game in Africa."

The feature films of the afternoon

were on three different subjects and

were presented in the following order:

"Hydroelectric Power Production in the

New South," "Blasting the Water High­

ways of America," and "Building New

York's Newest Subway." The first film

showed the varied problems confronting

the engineers in the development of the

Waterville Hydroelectric Project in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Caro­lina. The following film contained de­tailed information concerning some im­portant submarine blasting being done in this country, in which the work in New York Harbor and in the Great Lakes Regions was stressed. The last film, we feel, is self-explanatory; the work in New York's subways. The picture itself is a veritable trip along the line of construc­tion, showing the various engineering problems and how they are solved. The other two educational films afforded the students a little diversity in the program and were very much enjoyed by all.

SOMETHING NEW!

Extra! Extra! Extra! There is being planned by the evening

students of the Jewelry and Silversmith-ing Department of the School for its members and their friends an informal entertainment and dance, to be held in Memorial Hall on the evening of January 8, 1932, at 8 o'clock. The entertainment will consist of several fine features in­cluding a member of the Orpheum Cir­cuit and tap dancing specialties. The Moonlight Serenaders will provide music for dancing and refreshments will be served during the evening.

The Price? A mere fifty-cent admis­sion fee is necessary for this dollar's worth of good time.

To create success for this venture new

An urgent call we send

For each and every student

To come and bring a friend.

COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENT

Orlando Recchia, Chairman. Ethel Edson, Betty Booth, Germany Klemm, John Shanney, Harriet Harris, Chester Crookes, Caroline Koetsch, Nel­son Draper.

This is the first time in the history of

the evening school that there has been

planned by them and for them an affair

of this kind. It is hoped that every stu­

dent of the evening classes of the Jew­

elry and Silversmithing Department will

endeavor to make the venture a success

so that social activities may take their

place as a vital part of the life of the

evening school. RUTH E. SIMMONS.

8)

The Student Designer

MECHANICAL DESIGN COMMENTS

We sometimes wonder whether Frank Seaver, Gillie Silven, and Bill Higgins belong to this fair school or to a club of hazy denomination in the vicinity of Mar­ket Square.

Harvey Newell came in with a broken jaw the other day. He claims that he fell off a truck but we wonder whether his attentions at the corner of Benefit and Waterman Streets have been overdone. Mr. Swanson must have been a little

faster on his feet.

The rumor is about that Hooker was seen in the vicinity of upper North Main Street yesterday. "Still in search of a practical hair dekinken, eh, Ross?"

Scott has gone high-brow. He no longer permits the "vile weed" to come in contact with his mouth.

Who's on the spot, Harvey? It looks bad, with knife throwing and gun clean­

ing,—And that leer!

What's-a-mat wit-a Landgraf. He no maka da talk lik hes two frens, Benze wit Brocato. Maybe he's tink dey is too mucha fooleesh wi all da time Cetch-a-

fees."

SOPHOMORE CLASS ELECTS OFFICERS

The Sophomore class held a meeting recently and held an election for class officers. The following students were elected to office: President, W. Gard­ner: Vice-President, E. Bradshaw; Secre­tary, N. Flower; Treasurer, W. Bense.

THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE

"Walter Winchell Month" Barnes de­clares he can neck Sylvia Sydney any­time. Maybe he met her on his way to Carolina for that Thanksgiving suffrage

day. All we want to know is, when is

"Whitewash eyes" Doyle going to make another parachute jump into the bucket? Also, how about that clay fight in the shooting gallery? How many pigeons faced the fire of "Cannon ball nose" Del Sestos' wing?

Each Sunday night the bells in the church belfry chime. What do Pansy Holbrook and Mildred Hall have to say about it?

Blankets are the rage in back seats. Ask Barnes or Holbrook — what hot sketches, huh? How about a muffler or Sterno heater?

Jasper Bug would like to know who put the chopped rubber bands in his pipe tobacco. We'll bite. Also, who swiped his "famous hat"?

Senator Lodge nailed his stretcher down before it got away this time. Re­sults were fair.

Airdale Murphy sprained his "lina-ment" Thanksgiving. The school taxi is thereby forced to rest, etc.

Jasper Bug double-crossed the faculty. He didn't have anything to do with any clay and Mouse Lodge didn't have time. Three cheers for turning over a new leaf.

Signed

KAYOLA FRASER, President

CUPOLA EYES PERKINS,

Treasurer

JASPER BUGS MOORE,

Secretary

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The Student Designer

AND THEY HANG PICTURES!

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to—er—but that's another story. This story is about the Freshmen. Ah, yes, the Freshmen — God's gift to the School of Design.

Who are the Freshmen? Where are they from? Well, to begin with, we have Freshmen from all parts of the United States and Pawtucket.

One Freshman has invented a simple formula whereby any stranger desiring to find out if his town is represented in the Freshman class may be enlightened.

It's a very simple process. For ex­ample: If you wish to determine whether any one in the Freshman class comes from Scituate, this is the proper proce­dure. You first start by calling out the name of said town in a loud voice and giving it the Bronx Cheer. If there is no response to this you may be assured there is no one from Scituate.

If, on the other hand, you feel the im­pact of a drawing board, easel or box of paints as it bounces off your noble dome you will immediately (if still conscious) know that said town is very well repre­

sented.

Caution, however, must be taken not to mention such towns as East Provi­dence, Pawtucket or Newport as the people coming from those towns are apt to be very vicious due to atmospheric conditions existing in those bergs—er— pardon me . . . those towns!

And now, folks, if you will please stand by you will hear from the masked report­er of the Freshman Class (it might inter­est you to know that he wears the mask

by request)!

"Here's the dirt, folks:" There is a movement on foot to place

a hat rack in the hallway of the third floor in order that Leonard Miner may get his clothes without disturbing Miss Gard­iner's class.

Another thing . . . Who belongs to the Alarm clock that woke up the Lettering class a few weeks ago?

As far as some Freshmen are con­cerned the Theme Song of the School is "Down By the Old Millstream."

Which reminds me . . . who threw the water at the Freshman quartet last week? The quartet was composed of Ralph "Goulash" Gerlach, "Grampa" Ashton, Eddie "Cantor" Doyle and Francis "Gy-rascope" Gyra. No, I can't sing, either.

And so now we will close this Walter Winchell Column by singing the real School of Design song dedicated to the Stairways. It is that beautiful ballad en­titled: "The Elevator's Busted." Words by Stan Laurel. Music by Oliver Hardy.

Sung by permission of the copyright owners!

I st Stanza The Elevator's Busted The gol hang thing has rusted And I'll be flabbergusted I've got to climb the stairs.

3rd Stanza (Note: the 2nd Stanza— was—toooo—sad.)

The steps are getting higher Believe me I'm no liar I could sit right down and cry-er The Elevator's Busted!

Between the 18th and 19th stanzas we will hold a rummage sale for the un­employed in Memorial Hall.

Signing off now . . . your announcer is the Shadow and—looks it!

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The Student Designer

' GIVE SOMETHING

ELECTRICAL THIS CHRISTMAS

J When your gift is something electrical, you can be sure it is so mething useful.

Electrical gifts endure and keep the spirit of Christmas alive the whole year through.

Visit the Electric Shop, where quality appliances at popular prices are displayed for convenient selection.

THE NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY ELECTRIC SHOP—51 WESTMINSTER STREET

Part of New England Power Association

Tel. GA. 4685 Wigs and Make-up

FLETCHER COSTUME CO. WILLIS A. CROCKER, Mgr.

COSTUMES

All Articles Disinfected After Use

Theatrical and Masquerade

524 WESTMINSTER ST. Opposite Cathedral

421 WEYBOSSET ST. PROVIDENCE, R. 1.

CALEF BROTHERS

Established 1840

Wholesale and Retail Market

Full Line of Fancy Groceries

79 North Main Street Providence, R. 1.

Telephone DExter 1836-1837

e NEW TUXEDOS Attention! /Y yk FOR HIRE Staff Meetings

f j Keay's Tuxedo Shop of f j Keay's Tuxedo Shop STUDENT DESIGNER

SPECIAL RATES TO STUDENT DESIGNER

DESIGN STUDENTS Every Monday at 4:00 P. M.

315 Howard Building in Lunchroom

Providence, R. 1. All those interested please attend

H I ]

The Student Designer

M. M. ROSS CO. Complete Line of

ARTISTS' MATERIALS AND ART SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Special Reduced Prices for Art Students

66 NORTH MAIN STREET (opposite the R. I. S. D.) PROVIDENCE, R. I.

66 STUART STREET 2 BOSTON STORES 68 HUNTINGTON AVENUE

MODERN Artist Materials

AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT C A M E L H A I R — O X H A I R

for R E D S A B L E B R U S H E S

COOKING, WATER HEATING

AND Devoe & Reynolds

Water Colors REFRIGERATION

PROVIDENCE GAS WESTCOTT, SLADE &

COMPANY BALCOM CO.

95 EMPIRE STREET PROVIDENCE, R. 1.

N E W T U X E D O S FULL DRESS

Everything for formal wear

Quality Always

READ & WHITE

Renting Special Rates to R. I. School of Design

210 WOOLWORTH BUILDING PROVIDENCE

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